Tank opening-closing device

ABSTRACT

A tank opening-closing device comprises a tank opening forming member having a fuel passage, a flap valve mechanism for opening and closing a fueling inlet, and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a push member that receives an operating force manually, and an operating member for transmitting to an opening-closing member the operating force received by the push member, so that when the push member is pushed by a fueling gun, or the like, the opening-closing member opens the fueling inlet via the operating member.

This application claims the benefit of and priority from Japanese Application No. 2005-348916 filed Dec. 2, 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tank opening-closing device for supplying fuel to a fuel tank through a fuel passage, and in particular, relates to a mechanism for opening and closing a fuel passage.

2. Description of the Related Art

A fueling inlet for an inlet pipe for supplying fuel to automobile is shut by fuel caps that are attached and removed through a rotating the caps. Not only does this type of fuel cap have poor operability because of the need to rotate the fuel cap multiple times when supplying fuel, but also there is a problem in that there is the need to provide a place for placing the fuel cap when removed, or means by which to prevent the fuel cap from becoming lost. The provision of a flap valve structure in a fuel cap, as disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,247, is known as a means for solving these problems. In the flap valve structure, a fueling inlet is provided in the center part of a fuel cap, where the fueling inlet is closed by a flap valve and sealed by the force of a spring, where the fueling inlet is opened at the time of fueling by the fueling gun pushing the flap valve against the force of the spring. However, in the technology in the first patent reference, the force of the spring that is applied to the flap valve must be established for both the operating force that is applied when the flap valve is pushed by the fueling gun, and for the seal force, where the satisfaction of both simultaneously is difficult.

Moreover, a mechanism for opening and closing a flap involves through the operation of an external lid, wherein an external lid is equipped so as to be able to open and close on one end of the opening part of the inlet pipe, in a space that is on the inside of a fueling lid that is provided on the automobile body so as to be able to open and close, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,773, is well-known. However, in this technology according to the second patent reference, the outer lid it must always open towards the fueling lid side, requiring a large space at the inner periphery of the fueling lid, in order to maintain the state wherein the flap valve is open during fueling. Moreover, because the structure is such that the fueling lid opens towards the outside and the flap valve opens towards the fuel tank side, a complex linking structure is required.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a tank opening-closing device that has a compact structure and that has superior operability during fueling.

According to an aspect of the invention is provided with a tank opening-closing device for opening and closing a passage for supplying fuel to a fuel tank. The tank opening-closing device comprises: a tank opening forming member having (i) opening into which a fuel gun is inserted, (ii) a fueling inlet connected with the opening, (iii) a fuel passage that connects the fueling inlet with the fuel tank and that flows fuel supplied from the fuel gun to the fuel tank; a flap valve mechanism having (i) an opening-closing member that is installed in the tank opening forming member and that opens and closes the fueling inlet, (ii) a spring for pressing the opening-closing member in a closing direction and, (iii) a gasket that is interposed between a periphery of the fueling inlet and the opening-closing member to seal a space therebetween when the opening-closing member closes the fueling inlet; and an operating mechanism having (i) a push member for receiving a manual operating force and (ii) an operating member for transmitting the operating force produced by the push member to the opening-closing member. The operating member is configured such that the opening-closing member opens the fueling inlet against a spring force of the spring when the operating member receives the operating force.

In the tank opening-closing device in accordance with the present invention, the fueling gun, or the like, is pressed against the press member in order to provide fuel, and the fueling inlet is opened by the opening operation of the opening-closing member through the opening member. In this state, the fueling gun is inserted from the opening, and fuel is supplied to the fuel tank through the fuel passage from the fueling gun.

In accordance with the present invention, the operating mechanism acts so as to open and close the opening-closing member through an operating member using a manual operating force from the push member. There is superior operability after opening the fueling inlet because the opening-closing member is not pushed by the fueling gun. Moreover, because the operating mechanism is structured so that the opening-closing member is opened by the operating member that is disposed towards the opening side of the fueling inlet, the opening-closing member can be opened using a simple structure.

While the opening-closing member performs an opening-closing operation, the opening-closing member is not pushed by the fueling gun, so there is no need to emphasize the mechanical strength thereof or to emphasize the durability of the bearing location, simplifying the design because the emphasis will be on the sealing properties.

Moreover, the flap valve mechanism that opens and closes the fueling inlet is attached to the tank opening forming member, so, when compared to a structure wherein the fuel cap is removed from the tank opening forming member, there is no worry regarding a placement location for the fuel cap that has been removed at the time of fueling.

As a preferred form of embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the operating structure can be structured through the provision of an operating member main body that is fabricated integrally with the push member, and which is supported slidably relative to the tank opening forming member, and a link mechanism for connecting the operating member main body with the opening-closing member so that the opening-closing member is opened and closed by the movement of the operating member main body. This structure enables a simple and well-suited structure for the transmission mechanism for the operating force from the push member to the opening-closing member.

Moreover, as a preferred structure in accordance with the present invention, the push member may be structured with ribs that protrude towards a fueling lid side from a top wall of the tank opening forming member. This type of rib is a simple structure that can be pushed by the fueling gun, and through the provision of this type of rib structure protruding radially from the center of the operating member main body, or the provision of an inclined surface wherein the ribs are connected to the opening on the upper wall part in a structure wherein the ribs retractably protrude from the inclined surface, it is possible to increase the surface area of the push member for pushing, thereby making it possible to improve operability.

Moreover, as another preferred form of the push member, a structure may be used wherein a push button may be provided protruding from the upper wall part, thereby making the opening-closing operation more easily understood.

Moreover, as a preferred form of the operating structure, the structure may be such that the push member and operating member move on the opening side of the gasket. This structure can simplify the structure through reducing the number of components because only a single gasket need be provided at the flap valve mechanism for the seal means for sealing the fuel passage.

These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the state wherein a fueling lid, disposed in the rear portion of an automobile, is in an open state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tank opening-closing device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the section 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the opening-closing mechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates an opening-closing mechanism.

FIG. 6 illustrates the lock mechanism of the tank opening-closing device when viewed from above.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the section 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the lock mechanism.

FIG. 9 illustrates a continuation of the operation in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates the opening-closing operation of the tank opening-closing device.

FIG. 11 illustrates the fueling state in the tank opening-closing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(1) Schematic Structure of the Tank Opening-Closing Mechanism

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the opened state of a fueling lid that is disposed in the rear portion of an automobile in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A fueling lid FL for supplying fuel is supported at the rear portion of the body of an automobile so as to be able to open and close. In the fueling lid FL, a lid main body FLa is supported at an exterior panel of the automobile so as to be able to open and close at the exterior panel of the automobile by a hinge FLb. The space wherein the fueling lid FL opens forms a fueling room FR, where a tank opening-closing device 10 is supported on a base plate BP within the fueling room FR. The tank opening-closing device 10 is a mechanism for supplying fuel to a fuel tank without the use of a fuel cap, and is structured so as to enable the supply of fuel to the fuel tank from a fueling gun through opening the fuel passage by, for example, an external force from the fueling gun after the fueling lid FL has been opened. The detailed structures of the tank opening-closing device will be described below.

(2) Structures of the Various Parts

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tank opening-closing device 10, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the section 3-3 in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the tank opening-closing device 10 is provided with a tank opening forming member 11 having a fuel passage 11P that is connected to the fuel tank, and also provided with an opening-closing mechanism 30 for opening and closing the fuel passage 11P.

(2)-1 The Tank Opening Forming Member 11

In FIG. 3, the tank opening forming member 11 is a tube body having a fuel passage 11P, a connecting tube 12 for connecting to a fuel tank (not shown), a pipe main body 14 for connecting to the top end part of the connecting tube 12, an opening constituent member 16 that is attached to the top part of the pipe main body 14, and a support body 20 that is installed within the pipe main body 14. The connecting tube 12 is provided with a reduced-diameter part 12 a wherein the diameter is gradually reduced on the fuel tank side of the pipe main body 14, and a straight tube part 12 b that is connected to the reduced-diameter part 12 a, where these parts 12 a and 12 b are fabricated integrally. The pipe main body 14 is provided with a large diameter part 14 a that is connected to the top part of the reduced-diameter part 12 a, a small diameter part 14 b with a diameter that is less than that of the large diameter part 14 a, and a flange 14 c that connects the large diameter part 14 a and the small diameter part 14 b. The inside of the flange 14 c is a fueling inlet 14 d that forms a portion of the fuel passage 11P.

The opening constituent member 16 is installed on the top part of the pipe main body 14, and is provided with a tubular sidewall 16 a and a top wall 16 b, and is equipped on the pipe main body 14 through the mating of a mating tab 14 e, which is formed on the top part of the pipe main body 14, with a mating hole 16 c on the bottom of the opening constituent member 16. The top wall 16 b of the opening constituent member 16 comprises a flat surface 16 d and an inclined surface 16 e. As is shown in FIG. 1, the inclined surface 16 e is formed so that the center portion is recessed along a semi circle. A slide hole 16 f is formed in the center portion of the top wall 16 b in FIG. 3.

The support body 20 is a member that mates with the pipe main body 14 so as to support a portion of the opening-closing mechanism 30, and is provided with a support main body 21 b having a passageway 21 a that forms a portion of the fuel passage 11P, and an opening part 21 c that forms a portion of the fuel passage 11P, and is formed at the bottom part of the support main body 21 b, and a guide part 21 d. In the guide part 21 d is formed from a rib that is inclined in order to guide the fueling gun to the opening part 21 c from the passageway 21 a.

(2)-2 The Opening-Closing Mechanism 30

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the opening-closing mechanism 30, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the opening-closing mechanism 30. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the opening-closing mechanism 30 is provided with a flap valve mechanism 40, an operating mechanism 50, and a lock mechanism 60. The opening-closing mechanism 30 is a mechanism wherein, at the time of fueling, the fueling lid FL (shown in FIG. 1) is opened and then the flap valve mechanism 40 is opened by a manual operation on the operating mechanism 50 to open the fuel passage 11P, where the flap valve mechanism 40 is maintained in an open state by a lock mechanism 60.

The flap valve mechanism 40 is provided with an opening-closing member 41, a spring 42, and a gasket GS. The opening-closing member 41 is supported on the support main body 21 b of the support body 20, and is a disk-shaped member that opens and closes the fueling inlet 14 d. The spring 42 is a coil spring, where a coil-shaped support part 42 a is supported on the support main body 21 b and is biased in the direction of closing the opening-closing member 41. That is, a push end 42 b of the spring 42 contacts the spring push member 41 b of the opening-closing member 41, and the support end 42 c, which is the other end, is supported so as to contact the inner wall of the support main body 21 b, and the spring 42 thereby applies a force to the opening-closing member 41 in the direction of closing. A spring push member 41 b of the opening-closing member 41 has a raised protrusion in the center thereof, and is recessed on both edges thereof, so that the spring 42 uniformly presses the opening-closing member 41 in the upwards direction, to work so as to be sealed by the gasket GS with a uniform seal pressure.

The gasket GS is formed from a rubber material in a shape that is C-shaped in its cross section, and is press-fitted onto a seal support part 14 f that is formed on the inner peripheral part of the flange 14 c of the pipe main body 14 so that the fueling inlet 14 d is closed in a state that is sealed by pushing against the opening-closing member 41.

The operating mechanism 50 is a mechanism for applying a force for opening the flap valve mechanism 40, and is provided with an operating member 52 to which a force is applied directly manually, and a link mechanism 58 for transmitting to the flap valve mechanism 40 the force from the operating member 52.

The operating member 52 is provided with an operating member main body 53, a push member 54, a connecting plate 55 (shown in FIG. 5), and a push button 56 (shown in FIG. 5). The push member 54 and the push button 56 form a push member, where these are provided so as to apply an operating force selectively in a direction in which the user can push easily. The operating member main body 53 is a tube that is supported sidably in a slide hole 16 f of the opening constituent member 16, with an opening 53 a on the top part thereof, and a guide passage 53 b, which forms a portion of the fuel passage 11P, formed as well. As is shown in FIG. 5, the push member 54 is formed from a plurality of ribs 54 a in the form of rays that protrude on one side, that is, on the side of the inclined surface 16 e, of the upper outer peripheral part of the operating member main body 53, with a height that is the same as that of the flat surface 16 d. In other words, cuts 16 g are formed in the shape of the ribs 54 a at the inclined surface 16 e, where the ribs 54 a retractably protrude from these cuts 16 g. Consequently, the operating member main body 53 can be pushed integrally by the tip of the fueling gun pushing down on the rib 54 a. The connecting plate 55 is disposed on the operating member main body 53 side, and is structured so that the mating of the connecting member 53 c, which protrudes in the radial direction from the top side part of the operating member main body 53, with the recess 55 a in the connecting plate 55 causes the operating member main body 53 to move integrally. The push button 56 is secured to the end the part of the connecting plate 55 and protrudes upwards from the push member 54 so as to enable the operating member main body 53 to move integrally in the upwards or downwards direction when the push button 56 is pushed in the upwards or downwards direction.

The link mechanism 58 is that which connects the bottom part of the operating member main body 53 to the flap valve mechanism 40. In other words, the link mechanism 58 is provided with a link rod 58 a. This link rod 58 a is provided, on the top end thereof, with a connecting end 58 b that is supported rotatably on the top part of a cut 53 d of the operating member 52, and a connecting end 58 c, on the other end thereof, that is connected rotatably to a rotating part 41 c on the bottom surface of the opening-closing member 41. The up or down movement of the operating member 52 causes the link mechanism 58 to rotate slightly at the connecting end 58 b and then the connecting end 58 c to transmit the force for opening and closing the opening-closing member 41.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining, from the top, the lock mechanism 60 of the tank opening-closing device 10, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the section 7-7 of FIG. 6. In FIG. 5 through FIG. 7, the lock mechanism 60 not only opens and closes the flap valve mechanism 40 at the time of fueling, but is also the mechanism for maintaining the opened state, and is housed in a housing box 61 that is provided on the side part of the tank opening forming member 11. The lock mechanism 60 comprises, mainly, a lock member 62, a lock pin 64 that is implanted into the inner wall of the housing box 61, a drive mechanism 70, and an actuating member FLc that is inserted into or withdrawn from an insertion hole 61 a that is formed in the housing box 61, and that is embedded into the back surface of the fueling lid FL.

The lock member 62 is supported rotatably by an axle body 63 that is affixed to the connecting plate 55, and is provided with a lock groove 62 a at the lock pin 64. The lock groove 62 a is provided with a guide groove 62 b that is formed in the vertical direction, and a lock groove 62 c, from the top part of the guide to groove 62 b, shaped as an arc that is centered on the axle body 63. A cam 65 is formed at the top part of the lock member 62. The cam 65 is structured so as to rotate the lock member 62 centered on the axle body 63.

The drive mechanism 70 is provided with a plunger 72 that mates slidably with the spring 71, and a spring 73 that pushes against the plunger 72. A push end 72 a of the plunger 72 contacts the side part of the lock member 62. The lock mechanism 60 operates to assume a non-locked position immediately after the fueling lid FL of FIG. 8 is opened, a locked position during fueling in FIG. 9, and a non-locked position when the fueling lid FL of FIG. 7 is closed.

(3) Opening/Closing Operations of the Tank Opening-Closing Mechanism

(3)-1 Opening Operation

As is shown in FIG. 1, when the fueling lid FL is opened, the tank opening-closing device 10, disposed in the fueling room FR, is exposed. At this time, the actuating member FLc that is embedded on the back surface of the fueling lid FL is removed from the insertion hole 61 a of the housing box 61. This causes the lock mechanism 60 to assume the non-locked position, shown in FIG. 8, from the position shown in FIG. 7, allowing the lock member 62 to rotate around to the axle body 63. As shown in FIG. 10, when, at this time, the push member 54 or the push button 56 of the operating member 52 is pushed by the fueling gun or by a hand, the operating member main body 53 will move towards the fuel tank side. The operating member main body 53 pushes the opening-closing member 41 of the flap valve mechanism 40, via the link mechanism 58, so that the opening-closing member 41 rotates in the clockwise direction, against the spring force of the spring 42, around the axle 41 a.

At this time, as the lock mechanism 60 shown in FIG. 8 moves the operating member 52 in the downward direction from the non-locked state, the connecting plate 55 is moved in the downwards direction via the connecting member 53 c (shown in FIG. 5). The movement of the connecting plate 55 causes of the lock pin 64 to move in the upwards direction within the guide groove 62 b of the lock member 62 as shown in FIG. 9. In other words, because the lock pin 64 is secured in the housing box 61, the lock pin 64 moves to the top part of the guide groove 62 b as the lock member 62 moves downward integrally with the connecting plate 55. When the plunger 72 of the drive mechanism 70 strikes the top part of the lock member 62, the lock member 62 rotates around the axle body 63, to thereby move the lock pin 64 within the lock groove 62 c to cause the locked position that prevents the lock member 62 and the connecting plate 55 from moving in the up words direction. As is shown in FIG. 10, when in the lock position, the movement of the operating member 52 is restricted. This causes the flap valve mechanism 40 to maintain the opened state against the force of the spring 42.

After this, as shown in FIG. 11, the opening operation of the flap valve mechanism 40 is maintained, so that the fueling gun FG is inserted through the fueling inlet 14 d, and the opening part 21 c from the guide passage 53 b, and fuel is supplied to the fuel passage 11P. Pushing the push member 54 or the push button 56 in this way by the fueling gun FG causes of the opening-closing member 41 to open the fueling inlet 14 d, enabling fuel to be supplied without the flap valve mechanism 40 being pushed by the fueling gun FG.

(3)-2 The Closing Operation

After the fueling is completed, the fueling gun FG is removed from the fueling inlet 14 d and the fueling lid FL is closed, at which time the actuating member FLc is inserted into the insertion hole 61 a. When the actuating member FLc is inserted into the insertion hole 61 a, the actuating member FLc pushes the cam 65, and thus the lock member 62 rotates the flange 72 of the drive mechanism 70 around the axle body 63 against the spring force of the spring 73, so that the lock pin 64 moves from the lock groove 62 c to the guide groove 62 b, releasing the lock mechanism 60 from the lock position into the non-locked position. Given this, with the lock mechanism 60 in the non-locked position, the restorative force of the spring 42 not only pushes in the direction that closes the opening-closing member 41, but also pushes the operating member 52 upwards via the link mechanism 58, to thereby cause the opening-closing member 41 to close the fueling inlet 14 d, and cause the lock pin 64 to move downwards within the guide to groove 62 b into the position that prevents opening.

(4) Actions and Effects of the Tank Opening-Closing Mechanism

The tank opening-closing device 10 in accordance with the embodiment described above has the following actions and effects.

(4)-1 When the push member 54 or the push button 56 is pushed by the fueling gun FG or the hand in order to perform fueling, the operating mechanism 50 causes the opening-closing member 41 to open the fueling inlet 14 d, and thus there is superior operability because there is no need for the opening-closing member 41 to be pushed by the fueling gun FG in order to open the fueling inlet 14 d.

(4)-2 Because the operating mechanism 15 is structured so that the opening-closing member 41 is opened by the operating member 52 that is disposed on the opening 53 a side of the fueling inlet 14 d, the opening-closing member 41 can be opened and closed using a simple structure. Furthermore, because the operating member 52 is disposed on the opening 53 a side of the gasket GS, the means for sealing the fuel passage 11P of the tank opening forming member 11 may be the gasket GS alone, making it possible to reduce the number of components and to simplify the structure.

(4)-3 The opening-closing member 41 is not pushed by the fueling gun FG in order to cause the opening-closing member 41 to open, and thus design is simplified because the design may focus on the seal properties rather than focusing on the mechanical strength or the durability of the axle 41 a at the location that supports the opening-closing member 41.

(4)-4 The opening-closing mechanism 30 is installed in the tank opening forming member 11, and thus when compared with the type wherein a fuel cap is removed using a screw approach, there is no need to worry about a place for the placement of the fuel cap that has been removed at the time of fueling.

(4)-5 The push member 54 is provided with ribs 54 a that are formed protruding from, and in a radial shape, towards the fueling lid FL side from the top wall 16 b of the tank opening forming member 11, thus making it possible to tell easily the location to be pushed with the fueling gun.

(4)-6 An inclined surface 16 e is provided for guiding the ribs 54 a to the opening 53 a at the top wall 16 b of the tank opening forming member 11 so the ribs 54 a are designed to retractably protrude from the inclined surface 16 e, thus making it possible to increase the surface area of the push member 54 to be pushed, not only improving the operability, but also making it possible to guide the fueling gun FG reliably to the opening 53 a.

(4)-7 The push button 56 that protrudes from the top wall 16 b can be easily understood by the user to be pushed by hand, thus making it possible to improve reliability.

(4)-8 The lock mechanism 60 maintains the open state of the opening-closing member 41, by the operation of the lock member 62, thus eliminating the need to constantly push against the opening-closing member 41 by the fueling gun, or the like, during fueling, and thus there is superior operability.

(4)-9 When the fueling lid FL is closed, the lock member 62 moves from the lock position to the non-locked position, thereby making it possible to operate the fueling lid FL to open and close the flap valve mechanism 40, thereby eliminating the risk of forgetting to close the opening-closing member 41.

The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The foregoing detailed description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Modifications and equivalents will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art and our encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A tank opening-closing device for opening and closing a passage for supplying fuel to a fuel tank, the tank opening-closing device comprising: a tank opening forming member having (i) opening into which a fuel gun is inserted, (ii) a fueling inlet connected with the opening and, (iii) a fuel passage that connects the fueling inlet with the fuel tank and that flows fuel supplied from the fuel gun to the fuel tank; a flap valve mechanism having (i) an opening-closing member that is installed in the tank opening forming member and that opens and closes the fueling inlet, (ii) a spring for pressing the opening-closing member in a closing direction and, (iii) a gasket that is interposed between a periphery of the fueling inlet and the opening-closing member to seal a space therebetween when the opening-closing member closes the fueling inlet; and an operating mechanism having (i) a push member for receiving a manual operating force and (ii) an operating member for transmitting the operating force produced by the push member to the opening-closing member, wherein the operating member is configured such that the opening-closing member opens the fueling inlet against a spring force of the spring when the operating member receives the operating force.
 2. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operating mechanism includes an operating member main body that is fabricated integrally with the push member and that is supported sidably relative to the tank opening forming member, and a link mechanism that connects the operating member main body to the opening-closing member to move the opening-closing member for opening and closing the fueling inlet through the movement of the operating member main body.
 3. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the push member has a rib that protrudes from a top wall of the tank opening forming member towards outside.
 4. The tank opening-closing member in accordance with claim 3, wherein the rib is disposed from a center of the operating member main body in a radial direction.
 5. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the top wall includes an inclined surface that guides the fuel gun into the opening, and the rib protrudes from the inclined surface in a retractable manner.
 6. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the push member includes a push button that protrudes from a top wall of the tank opening forming member.
 7. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operating mechanism is configured such that the push member and the operating member move in a space that is disposed between the gasket and the opening.
 8. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism that includes a lock member that selectively positions the opening-closing member in a lock position and a non-locked position, wherein the locked position is a position in which the opening-closing member is held to open the fueling inlet, and the non-locked position is a position in which the opening-closing member is movable to open an close the fueling inlet.
 9. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a fueling lid that is installed in an automobile body to cover the opening, wherein the lock mechanism is configured to shift the lock member in the locked position and the non-locked position with movement of the fueling lid.
 10. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the fueling lid includes a lid main body conforming to the automobile body, and an actuating member projecting from the lid main body, and the lock member includes a cam that moves with the fueling lid, the cam being configured to shift the lock member from the locked position to the non-locked position via closing of the fueling lid.
 11. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock pin that is installed in the tank opening forming member, the lock pin being configured to engage with the lock member in the locked position and then restrict movement of the operating member.
 12. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the lock member moves up and down with movement of the operating member, and that is supported rotatably in the tank opening forming member to engage with the lock pin when the operating member moves in a preset position.
 13. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the lock mechanism includes a drive mechanism that presses the lock member when the operating member moves in the preset position, the drive mechanism being configured to rotate the lock member and then engage with the lock pin when the lock member moves from the non-locked position to the locked position.
 14. The tank opening-closing device in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a fueling lid that is installed in an automobile body to cover the opening of the tank opening forming member, wherein the fueling lid includes a lid main body conforming to the automobile body and an actuating member projecting from the lid main body, and the lock mechanism is configured to shift the lock member from the locked position to the non-locked position when the fueling lid moves in a closing position and then the actuating member presses the lock member towards the drive mechanism. 